|  Commissioning
drug and alcohol treatment and support services for
young people, adults, families and carers throughout
Oxfordshire
Alcohol Treatment Services
Alcohol can play a positive role in British culture
as part of social and family life through sensible drinking.
However excessive alcohol consumption among some groups
in society is a cause of serious concern and is reflected
by both the Government and the general public. The concern
covers a number of related issues such as health implications
or crime and disorder levels. The
Oxfordshire Alcohol Strategy looks to address the
concerns of alcohol misuse.
Alcohol and Health:
Alcohol misuse is directly linked to deaths of certain
types of diseases such as liver cirrhosis and associated
with other causes of death such as stroke and coronary
heart disease.
The NHS recommends that you should not regularly drink
more than:
3-4 units of alcohol a day for men,
2-3 units of alcohol per day for women.
What is a unit?
Click here for chart
See the 'Know Your Limits' website for more information.
Link to 'Know Your Limits' website (www.knowyourlimits.gov.uk)
For men who are regularly drinking more than 8 units
a day and women regularly drinking more than 6 units
a day (50/35 units per week respectively) the risks
of various diseases, such as liver disease or stroke,
are significantly higher. In 2005, 4160 people in England
and Wales died from alcoholic liver disease; an increase
of 41% since 1999 according to the Department of Health.
Individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol
may benefit from some kind of intervention or treatment,
and can fall into four general categories of alcohol
misuse. These have been identified by Models of Care
of Alcohol Misusers (MoCAM) 2006.
- hazardous drinkers - 'are drinking at levels
over the sensible drinking limits, either in terms
of regular excessive consumption or less frequent
sessions of heavy drinking. However, they have so
far avoided significant alcohol-related problems.'
- harmful drinkers - 'are usually drinking
at levels above those recommended for sensible drinking,
typically at higher levels than most hazardous drinkers.
Unlike hazardous drinkers, harmful drinkers show clear
evidence of some alcohol-related harm. Many harmful
drinkers may not have understood the link between
their drinking and the range of problems they may
be experiencing.'
- moderately dependent drinkers - 'may recognize
that they have a problem with drinking, even if this
recognition has only come about reluctantly through
pressure, for example from family members or employers.
The level of dependence of drinkers in this category
is not severe.'
- severely dependent drinkers - 'may have serious
and long-standing problems. This category includes
individuals described in older terminology as 'chronic
alcoholics'. Typically, they have experienced significant
alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They may have progressed
to habitual significant daily alcohol use or heavy
use over prolonged periods or bouts of drinking.'
Individual drinkers may sit within a number of different
categories during their lifetime and may choose to engage
with relevant treatment services or not.
PDF download of
Alcohol, Crime and Antisocial Behaviour:
Underage drinking and drinking by young adults is perceived
as a real problem by the public. There are strong links
between high levels of youth alcohol consumption and
other risk factors such as youth offending, teenage
pregnancy and exclusion from school, but the exact nature
of this relationship is not fully understood. Neither
is it clear to what extent alcohol influences criminal
activity and specifically violent behaviour and the
night time economy. According to various Home Office
publications, around half of all violent incidents take
place at the weekend and the majority occur at night
(between midnight and 6am).
Various pieces of legislation have had an impact on
alcohol and crime. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 gave
emphasis to 'partnership' working between a wide range
of agencies (such as police, district councils, primary
care trusts and fire and rescue services) to combat
local concerns through community plans; alcohol misuse
is always a key priority. The introduction of the Licensing
Act 2003 saw licensed premises given greater flexibility
in operating hours and licensable activities that they
could offer as well as additional enforcement powers
to authorities.
Oxfordshire's aim is to:
'Minimise the negative efffects
and costs associated with alcohol on individuals,
families, local communities and public services
in Oxfordshire, while ensuring that people are able
to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.'
Purpose of the Oxfordshire Alcohol Strategy
This Strategy has been developed in order to identify
and clarify the issues surrounding alcohol and the negative
effects it can have on individuals and the wider community.
This document is intended to have a strategic overview
of the issues and sets out how the Oxfordshire Safer
Communities Partnership intends to tackle the harm caused
by alcohol misuse between April 2008 and March 2011
and links to the three year Community Safety Plans drawn
up by the five Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
(CDRP's) for Oxfordshire (Cherwell, West, Oxford City,
South and Vale of White Horse). This Strategy will be
reviewed at the end of each year and updated. It will
be a working strategy and will be revised as appropriate
with the development of other policies in support of
the overarching vision for Oxfordshire during the three
years of the plan.
The development of the Strategy had been based on the
national policy framework and local information gathering
and consultation and builds on the original Oxfordshire
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2006-2009. It is drawn
up under 'Community Safety' but it is immediately acknowledged
that the Strategy cuts across many other areas of responsibility,
most obviously Health and Young People.
Themes
There are five overall themes or aims contained within
the Strategy. Others may be added as required and when
appropriate to reflect wider policies which contribute
to the overarching vision for Oxfordshire. A clear set
of objectives have been developed under each aim supported
by relevant action plans.
- Crime, Violence and Anti Social Behaviour
- Education and Advice
- Health and Treatment
- Environmental and Situational Factors
- Young People
National Policy Framework
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England (2004)
In 2004 the Government introduced a national Alcohol
Harm Reduction Strategy. The strategy focused on preventing,
minimising and managing the harms caused by alcohol
misuse.
(download pdf copy of
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy document)
Models of Care of Alcohol Misusers (MoCAM) (2006)
This was produced by the Department of Health in conjunction
with the National Treatment Agency (NTA) and provides
a clear framework for the commissioning and provision
of treatment for hazardous, harmful and dependent drinkers.
"Safe, Sensible, Social - the next steps in
the National Alcohol Strategy" (2007)
This built on the foundations laid by the 2004 Strategy
and focussed on the delivery of three priorities:
- laws and licensing powers
- drinkers who cause or experience the most harm
- an environment that actively promotes sensible
drinking
(download
pdf copy of Safe, Sensible, Social document)
Choosing Health in the South East: Alcohol (2007)
This report makes some key points about the harm caused
by alcohol in the South East. The report recommended
a number of priorities:
- Binge drinking in young people.
- Workplace alcohol policies should be implemented.
- High risk and vulnerable groups.
- Additional treatment services should be commissioned.
- Public health professionals should work together
with local partners to tackle crime and disorder.
(download
pdf copy of Choosing Health document)
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Drop in, Open Access and Outreach
An appointment is not needed for drop in, open access
and outreach services as they are there to help people
instantly access alcohol advice and support. They can
carry out an assessment and referral for structured
treatment.
Oxfordshire Community Drug and Alcohol Service
SMART Alcohol service
Telephone: 01865 403210
www.smartcjs.org.uk
The aim of the service is to reduce the harm caused
by problematic drug and alcohol use.
Services provided
- Initial assessment
- Brief interventions
- Alcohol awareness
- Signposting and information on services available
in Oxfordshire
- Direct access to one to one sessions and groups
- Referral to other structured treatment
- Harm reduction advice and information
- Access to alternative and complementary therapies
Oxford
The Old Music Hall
106-108 Cowley Road
Oxford
Banbury
Banbury Health Centre
Witney
Marlborough House
Marlborough Lane
Witney
Tel: 01993 774892
Didcot
Didcot Baptist Church
Abingdon
There is also a mobile treatment centre that
visits:
Berinsfield
Henley
Thame
Wallingford
Didcot
Abingdon
Wantage
Faringdon
Bicester
Chipping Norton
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One to one and group provision
The assessment will determine whether the individual
would benefit from one to one sessions and/or groups.
Both one to ones and groups are aimed at improving people's
well being. They can include cognitive behavioural therapy,
coping skills and relapse prevention approaches specifically
targeted at alcohol misuse. The interventions will be
agreed between the service user and the key worker and
will be written into a care plan which will be reviewed
regularly.
The individual will be expected to attend their appointments
either weekly or fortnightly depending on their need.
Group treatment may include the following:
Alcohol Awareness
- An eight session group
- Suitable for clients with a range of alcohol abuse
and dependence levels; harmful, hazardous and moderately
dependant. Clients who are suitable for group intervention
The main themes of the module include the overall impact
of alcohol on behaviour and health, the effects on family
life and relationships, The sessions show how to reduce
risk, where to get help and how to make progress. They
will also look at different options for the future and
what to do if things go wrong or setbacks occur.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Alcohol
- An eight session group
- Suitable for clients needing additional support
addressing their alcohol misuse and who are harmful
or moderately dependant alcohol users
This module is all about change. It focuses on thinking
and behaviours that are needed to create and maintain
change. It will look at individual need and setting
goals to meet those needs. It especially focuses on
positive thinking and problem solving.
How to access these services
You can self refer to this service by calling the number
below or by attending one of the drop in/open access
sessions details above.
You can also be referred to this service by your GP
or key worker.
Please note: Those who have complex problems may be
not be suitable for this service, and may be referred
to/for other specialist services or residential treatment.
Contact the Community Alcohol Service
Tel: 01865 403151
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Medical Treatment
Clinical treatment is another intervention that requires
an assessment and care plan. Clinical treatment for
alcohol may include medically assisted detoxification.
The role of this treatment is to reduce the harms associated
with alcohol use specifically:
- Reduce alcohol related deaths and risk behaviour,
- Managing addictive behaviour,
- To reduce crime and the social ill consequences
of alcohol misuse,
- Reduce the use of alcohol by relieving and reducing
alcohol withdrawal syndrome and delivering treatment
for maintaining abstinence.
- To treat addictive behaviour
- Assist patients to undertake community detoxification.
Clinical treatment is also any treatment provided in
a GP, hospital or inpatient setting. Clinical treatment
for substance misuse should always be part of a package
of care that includes other interventions.
To access medical treatment contact your local GP.
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Residential Treatment
The aim of a residential rehabilitation is to help
an individual achieve continuing abstinence from addiction
and to improve their life. Residential rehab usually
involves staying in a facility for weeks or months,
having a complete break from the individual's current
circumstances. Residential rehabs normally have a mixture
of group work, counselling and other practical and vocational
activities. There are several types of rehabs:
- " Traditional rehab units, with programmes
to suit the needs of different service users. Different
units have different approaches, for example therapeutic
communities and the 12-Step programmes used by Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
- " Crisis intervention units (usually in urban
areas) that help people in drug-related crisis. These
are generally shorter stay units.
- " Residential treatment programmes for specific
client groups, for example pregnant women, people
with liver problems and clients with mental illness.
- "second stage" or "move-on"
supported accommodation, where some clients go to
after rehab.
- " Other supported accommodation, with the rehabilitation
interventions (therapeutic drug-related and non-drug-related
interventions) provided at a different nearby site(s).
Individuals can access rehab through community alcohol
services and medical treatment services. An assessment
will take place to see whether rehab is the suitable
treatment and to assess which centre would be most suitable
to the individual's situation and needs. People entering
rehab will usually have gone through detoxification
before entering which can be done in the community,
at the rehab itself (if it has an attached detox unit),
or at a detoxification residential unit.
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Aftercare
Aftercare is a support service for alcohol users who
have reached the end of a local treatment programme,
are going through a community detox, or are coming back
from residential rehabilitation. The support the service
offers is to help people become or stay alcohol free
and to help them reintegrate into the community and
begin building their lives again.
The individual will be assigned to a worker who will
complete an assessment and care plan, looking at all
of the person's needs and goals. These could include
relapse prevention work, access to courses, IT and training,
employment and counselling.
The following are details of the Aftercare service
available in Oxfordshire
SMART CJS Aftercare Service - Restart Plus
The Annexe
The Old Music Hall
54a Marston Street
Oxford
Tel: 01865 403210
Fax: 01865 403224
www.smartcjs.org.uk
Restart Plus is an aftercare service that individuals
can access once they have completed, or are near the
end of completing, an alcohol treatment programme. The
service is also suitable for those who have achieved
abstinence and who are motivated to making further changes
in their lives. The service provides support to individuals
who want to lead a productive and alcohol free life.
Services provided
- Assessment
- Care planning
- One to one case management
- Peer support
- Relapse prevention
- Use of IT and resource suite
- Access to vocational training programmes and training
agencies
- Development of transferable skills and employment
related opportunities, such as CV writing
- Routes into education
- Access to counselling
- Access to groups
- Mentor support
- Help getting a job
Access
You can self refer to Restart plus or you can be referred
by your key worker as you are nearing the end of your
treatment.
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Young People's Treatment
Support for parents
Drinking alcohol use is often by young people as a
right of passage to adulthood and it is essential to
encourage young people to drink safely and sensibly.
However some young people may experience problems with
their drinking and may need support to reduce and/or
stop their alcohol use.
For a free copy of our Parent and Carers guide to drugs
and alcohol, please email reception@oxfordshiredaat.org
and we will post you a copy. There are support services
available to parents and carers, please see the following
link. Families and carers page
Support for schools
Teachers may want help and advice regarding a young
person's alcohol use.
If a young person in your school has been caught with
alcohol, for advise and help with mediation call,
Bill Russell, School drug consultant on 01865
428035.
If a young person needs individual support relating
to their alcohol use, refer that young person to the
single point of contact for all schools at Evolve. Evolve
will ensure that the young person is seen by the most
appropriate person which may be a youth worker or a
specialist alcohol worker, depending on their need.
Evolve referral
form
Tel: 01865 723909
Evolve
Evolve is Oxfordshire's young people drug and alcohol
treatment service. It is a confidential treatment service
providing community support for young people who have
complex and serious substance misuse issues. It works
with young people on a one to one basis anywhere in
Oxfordshire. Evolve also supports young people who have
drug and alcohol using parents. Evolve can be contacted
on 01865 723909 and for more information please visit
the Evolve website.
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Youth Alcohol Plan (2008)
The Youth Alcohol Action Plan (2008) looks to address
the unacceptable practice of unsupervised young people
consuming alcohol in public places, supporting parents
with clear guidelines and strengthening the standards
across the industry in relation to reducing the availability
of alcohol to under 18's and encouraging responsible
advertising. This plan refers to existing strategies
and policies such as Aiming High for Young People and
Targeted Youth Support.
(download
pdf copy of Youth Alcohol Plan document)
National
Organisations - Alcohol
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